The Federal Government has secured agreements with all states and territories to hand them responsibility for environmental approvals.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the one-stop shop arrangement will mean major projects only have to be assessed once, making the process simpler and quicker for businesses.

But he insisted the same high standards for environmental approvals will be in place.

Under the changes the states will take on Commonwealth environmental assessment powers and consider applications under state and federal legislation.

Previously major projects they had to go through a state process and a separate Commonwealth one.

Some states had already signed onto the scheme but the final deals were struck at today's Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting.

Mr Abbott said there would be the "same high standards of environmental approval, but much less red and green tape, much less paperwork for the applicant, and a much swifter outcome we hope, which means more investment and more jobs."

Environmental groups fear state environmental control

The Business Council of Australia has been pushing for a single environmental approvals process as a way to reduce costs to business and avoid delays.

The Greens environment spokeswoman Larissa Waters says handing power to the states will "gut national environment protection".

"Tony Abbott wants to put states and territories in charge of approving environmentally destructive projects that impact our World Heritage Areas and nationally endangered species," she said.

"If states had this power in the past, the Franklin River would be dammed, cattle would be grazing in the Alpine National Park and there would be oil rigs on the Great Barrier Reef."

The Wilderness Society has warned the decision will lead to lengthy and expensive legal battles for state and territory governments.

It says a Senate Committee has already found environmental powers would be put at risk if federal powers were delegated.